14 holiday activities the whole family can enjoy

From puzzling hedge mazes to children’s themed vintage train rides, there’s plenty to see and do these autumn holidays. Even on those cold and drizzly days.

1. Tell the kids to get lost!

The Barrabool Maze Estate is a traditional hedge maze, but the grounds are far bigger. There are delightful formal gardens and grounds to wander around including a lakeside walk, plus a great café overlooking the scenes and surrounding Barrabool Hills.

2. Jump around

Let the kids burn off that holiday energy at Bounce Inc Geelong – an indoor entertainment venue with trampolines, leaping platforms, crazy climbing walls and a touch of Ninja Warrior course.

3. Inspire young photographers

Perfect for young animal lovers or budding photographers, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the National Wool Museum showcases fascinating animal behaviour and the breath-taking diversity of the natural world. On until Sunday 7 May.

4. Spend time with the fairies

The giant gnome at the entrance to Fairy Park has been welcoming and delighting children on this granite hill for generations. The magic of storytelling and traditional fairy tales is shared throughout the grounds and the medieval Camelot themed adventure playground is a highlight.

5. Take a trip with Searoad Ferries

Transporting people between Sorrento and Queenscliff, Searoad Ferries has a brand new terminal and a heap of school holiday activities to enjoy. Depending on the day you travel, you may catch a Krazy Koala Puppet ShowCaptain Jack Pirate Showdolphin discovery or Dazzling Dan the Magic Man.

6. Play time at MOPA

For those little creative minds and hands, Museum of Play and Art immerses children from age 1-7 in play-based learning. The space stimulates curiosity and creative play.

7. Explore Geelong Waterfront

For fun and games, there’s a playground next to a huge and spectacularly located skate park near Cunningham Pier. The Carousel is a vintage merry-go-round at the bottom of Moorabool Street, and there’s a Giant Sky Wheel near the Royal Geelong Yacht Club. GoBoat is the latest addition to the waterfront: self-driving, electric picnic boats for you and up to 7 others – kids and pooches welcome!

8. Day out with Thomas

Join Thomas the Tank Engine for a 45-minute vintage train ride of colourful adventures at The Bellarine Railway. Runs on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 April.

9. Have a hit of (mini) golf

Mini golf goes big at Bellarine Adventure Golf. 36 holes, lots of tricky putts to make and plenty of bragging rights for the winner. There’s also a very cheeky cockatoo, some friendly neighbouring animals and loads of picnic space.

10. Learn about Aboriginal culture

Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre offers cultural education programs, an art gallery, native gardens with wildlife plus a café and retail space. ‘Narana’ means deep listening and understanding, and the Centre has a focus on developing a better understanding of culture.

11. Test your Nerf skills

Get the kids to test their skills, accuracy and speed in a range of Nerf challenges that will keep them on their toes. You’ll find the activation outside Target at the Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre.

12. Experience some of Geelong spooky history

Heard of the Geelong Gaol Museum? It’s a menacing museum space that’s a stark reminder of our brutal recent history. There are also regular ghost tours for those game enough.

13. Learn about animals and conservation

Much of the Werribee Open Range Zoo footprint has African savannah animals free ranging while visitors watch from safari style buses. There’s a fabulous program of events and animal encounters, on-site safari accommodation, a great native animal section and everyone’s favourite lookout monitors, the meerkats.

14. The ultimate cricket bootcamp

Have a budding cricketer at home? Let them build their skills at the Renegades School Holiday camp on Friday 21 April. Suitable for 7 to 10 year olds there’ll be fun, fully supervised cricket activities, games, giveaways and maybe even a Renegades player visit!

Stay up to date

Get the latest info on openings, special events, deals and competitions.

    More articles

    Adventure

    12 ways to spend the spring school holidays

    Spring school holidays have rolled around again, which means two weeks of non-stop fun for the kids (and non-stop caffeine...

    Adventure

    8 things to do in the Moorabool Valley & You Yangs

    Located about an hour west of Melbourne, the Moorabool Valley is probably Victoria’s most un-sung wine region. Sitting in a...

    Adventure

    7 activities to keep the kids busy

    Entertaining the kids in the region couldn’t be easier… check these top 7 activities out! Whether you’re a local looking...

    Adventure

    Perfect pit stop – A day in Werribee

    Alright, let's talk about one of the most underrated stops on your way from Melbourne to Geelong: Werribee. Yep, you...

    Stay up to date

    Get the latest info on openings, special events, deals and competitions.

      Visit Geelong & The Bellarine